Meet the players on the All-Observer high school volleyball team, the region’s best
The Gaston Day volleyball team knew what it was like to play for a state champion, having finished as NCISAA 2A state runner-up in each of the previous three seasons.
This year, Gaston Day finally finished on top beating Davidson Day, 3-1, to claim the NCISAA 2A state title. Gaston Day coach Derek Bing, the Charlotte Observer coach of the year, led his team to a 30-9 record, including 25-0 against teams from North Carolina. Bing’s team five different, defending state champions.
Ardrey Kell senior Alexis Shelton, an Oklahoma University recruit, is the All-Observer player of the year. The American Volleyball Coaches’ Association All-American had 521 kills, 274 digs and 73 blocks to lead Ardrey Kell to a 31-2 record and 4A state runner-up finish.
Shelton, an all-state pick, was also SoMeck 4A conference player of the year, and the North Carolina Volleyball Coaches’ Association 4A state player of the year.
First Team All-Observer
Kylie Boyer, Hough: The Queen City Athletic Conference player of the year, a senior, had 160 kills, 183 digs and 53 aces to help lead Hough to a conference title, 22-4 record.
Drew Brown, Gaston Day: The Lehigh University signee, a senior all-state pick, had 594 kills, 338 digs and 21 blocks for the NCISAA 2A state champions.
Aaliyah Byers, Kings Mountain: Wright State commit, all-state pick ha 371 kills, 199 digs, 22 aces to earn Big South Conference player of the year honors.
Katie Cruise, Providence: The Appalachian State commit was Southwestern 4A conference player of the year. She had 384 assists, 116 digs, 52 kills and 22 aces despite missing some time with injury this season, according to Providence volleyball coach Maggie Malone.
Martina Foster, Fred T. Foard: The Tusculum College commit had 276 kills to lead Fred T. Foard to a 3A state semifinals’ run.
Caroline Farthing, Watauga: The Appalachian State commit was Northwestern 3A/4A player of the year. She had 395 kills, 258 digs and 55 aces for the 4A state semifinalist team.
Kelcie Love, West Rowan: The Falcons’ all-state senior had 304 kills for a team that went 27-3 and won the South Piedmont 3A conference title.
Emma Norris, North Iredell: The East Carolina commit led the Raiders to a 26-2 record, 3A state runner-up finish.
Estella Sawyer, Ardrey Kell: The Radford University commit and all-state pick guided Knights’ offense with 812 assists, 209 digs, 46 aces.
Meghan Schreck, Cannon School: The University of Tampa commit was an all-state pick and CISAA conference player of the year. She had 230 kills, 86 digs, 39 aces for the NCISAA 4A state semifinalists.
Alexis Shelton, Ardrey Kell: The AVCA All-American, Oklahoma University commit had 521 kills, 274 digs, 73 blocks and 42 aces to lead Ardrey Kell to a 4A state runner-up finish.
Courtney Storm, Lake Norman: The Metro 4A conference player of the year averaged 13 assists and eight kills per match.
Gerren Tomlin, Davidson Day: The Old Dominion University commit and all-state pick had 266 kills, 164 digs and 41 aces for the NCISAA 2A state runner-up.
Lyvia Trimp, Weddington, Sr.: The Warriors’ senior had 530 kills, 50 aces and 301 digs this season.
Anna Ungerer, Union Academy: Cardinals’ junior was 1A state championship most valuable player (23 kills, 15 digs in that game). This season, she had 462 kills, 253 digs and 60 aces this season.
Rebecca West, Marvin Ridge: The all-state middle blocker had 203 kills, 77 blocks for the Southern Carolinas’ conference champions.
Second Team All-Observer
Ines Atkins, Lake Norman Christian, So.
Raven Bailey, Mallard Creek, Sr.
Anne Bradley Bing, Gaston Day, Fr.
Katie Cook, East Lincoln, Jr.
Ryleigh Clyburn, Union Academy, Sr.
Noe, Gaeta, West Rowan, Sr.
Chelsea Gilmore, Covenant Day, Jr.
Kailey Keough, Ardrey Kell, Sr.
Connie Kofoed, Charlotte Christian, Jr.
Arianna Lopez, Cannon School, Fr.
Hailey Pearce, Sun Valley, Jr.
Kenady Roper, Patton, Sr.
Brooke Scheffler, Watauga, Jr.
Maddie Smith, University Christian, So.
Ashlynn Stephens, Highland Tech, Sr.